Question asked by Lee
What other protecter have sogtae besides , setrap, dorje shugden and nechung.
Does six armed mahakala, sengdongma , Palden lhamo have sogtae? I don't have a dharma protecter right now, and my teacher advised against dorje shugden but other teacher promotes it is there another protecter you would recommend.
Dear Lee,
Thank you for your question. Apart from Setrap, Dorje Shugden and Nechung there are many other Dharma protectors who have sogtae rituals. However, among the three other deities you listed, Sengdongma is not a Dharma protector. Rather she is actually a yidam (or meditational deity) whose practice is very beneficial.
Sogtae exists for many Dharma protectors throughout the many traditions within Tibetan Buddhism. For example, there are sogtae rituals to the Five Warriors who are connected with the protector form of Hayagriva. There are also sogtae rituals connected with Tsiu Marpo, Four-faced Mahakala, Ekajati and Maning Mahakala. There are many more besides these.
Since you have a teacher, if you have a formal relationship with this teacher such as having taken refuge with the teacher, any form of vows or empowerments, you should honour this relationship. If you want to engage in Dharma protector practice, you should request your teacher to introduce you to a suitable Dharma protector. This will be the best for your spiritual path. That being said all enlightened Dharma protectors are suitable for Buddhist practitioners, because they are emanations of the enlightened beings. I hope this helps.
Thank you.